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Wednesday, December 15, 2004
Agony and ecstasy of fight night
Manny Pacquiao’s win over Fahsan (3K Battery) Por Thawatchai was a tremendous success to the eyes of his countrymen, who flocked to The Fort in Taguig City, paying as high as P10,000 for a seat at ringside.
Even the late afternoon rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of an estimated 50,000 spectators coming from different parts of Metro Manila, who were joined by millions of Filipinos glued to their TV sets for nearly five hours – enough to make it an unconscious effort to perfectly memorizing the lyrics of the jingle of a cellphone network commercial.
And after 10 minutes and 26 seconds of action, the fight was over and everybody who watched was ecstatic to have watched the Pacman devour his Thai opponent.
But while the paying public went home satisfied, the media didn’t share the same feeling.
For one, the press box was located some 20 meters away from the action. There was also no press center provided.
Nonetheless, the card became one of the grandest gatherings of VIPs from the government, sports, showbiz and business sectors.
In attendance were Vice President Noli de Castro, Senators Manuel Roxas and Richard Gordon, House Speaker Jose de Venecia, Rep. Mikee Arroyo, who was greeted by hecklers when his name was mentioned by the ring announcer, Gov. Chavit Singson of Ilocos Sur, Pagcor chairman Ephraim Gueñueno and Metro Manila Development Authority chief Bayani Fernando.
Also there to witness the spectacle were Comelec’s Ben Abalos, former Ombusman Aniano Desierto, Sec. Raul Mandin, Mayors Rodrigo Duterte of Davao, Rey Malonzo of Caloocan and host Fred Tinga among others. (RCM)
(December 15, 2004 issue)
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